I'm being treated for breastcancer (non metastatic) and after my second TAC chemo I experienced irregular heartbeats, so besides the regular weekly bloodtest I requested my ferritine level to be checked, as low ferritine levels caused this problem before in the past.
To my surprise ferritine levels were above normal at 322.32 ng/mL (normal values 4.6-204). My oncologist did not give me a straight answer as to what caused this, and I'm afraid it may have to do with liver damage, but high ferritene levels may be something that is common to this kind of chemotherapie.
Other levels were low (as to be expected). HCT 34.2 (NV 36.0-46.0), WBC 2.17 (NV 4-10), NEUT 0.98 (NV 2.50-7.50), LYM 0.87 (1.50-3.50), but PLT within the normal values.
I'd taken vit. B1,B6 and B12 for five days before the test, and had an Pegfilgrastem (Neulasta, 6 mg) shot 6 days before the bloodtest.
So what I'd really like to know is what may have caused this high level, and if it would be wise to have additional tests.
Thanks, I called the oncologist and said I wouldn't go through with the next chemo if he didn't give me a straight answer. He said that because of the cell damage large amounts of ferritin are released into the blood and that this may be the reason for the elevated levels, but in that in any case the bloodtest that is done before each course has tests indicating if the liver function well or not, so I needn't worry about that. Just shows you have to put your foot down if you really want an answer.